The Wisconsin-based study analyzed the well being of nearly every county in the country through 25 factors, including poverty, smoking and obesity.

Of New York's 62 counties, Broome ranks 48 in terms of overall health.

That's an improvement over the last year's ranking of 56.

Members of the county health department are optimistic about the rankings, but think some areas can improve.

"We need to work on eating more fruits and vegetables. We are still lower in that category and that would help ease the burden on many chronic illnesses including cancer," said Mary McFadden, the supervising public health inspector.

The health department credits the community as a whole making healthier choices for the climb in rank, but doesn't believe the study is entirely accurate.

"It's limited, it does not capture everything, it does not capture all the local statistics here," McFadden said. "We are working on our own community health assessment that looks at many more indicators than this provides."